Intervertebral cage which is expandable in steps and implantation instrument therefor
AssigneeFacet-Link Inc.
InventorKlaus Dmuschewsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantation instrument for an expandable intervertebral fusion implant that includes a base piece and a cover piece that are configured to bear on a facing end plate of one of two adjacent vertebrae, the cover piece being adjustable in height with respect to the base piece, and a ratchet mechanism being provided between the base piece and the cover piece to effect a stepped adjustment of height and secure an adopted height again reversal, the implantation instrument being configured for expanding the intervertebral fusion implant and comprising a force measurer that interacts with a displacement measurer to indicate an expansion attained by a particular actuating force.
Claims18
An implantation instrument for an expandable intervertebral fusion implant that includes a base piece and a cover piece that are configured to bear on a facing end plate of one of two adjacent vertebrae, the cover piece being adjustable in height with respect to the base piece, and a ratchet mechanism being provided between the base piece and the cover piece to effect a stepped adjustment of height and secure an adopted height against reversal, the implantation instrument being configured for expanding the intervertebral fusion implant and comprising:
- a tensioning member extending along a longitudinal axis of the implantation instrument and configured for actuating spreading jaws at a front end of the implantation instrument for expanding the intervertebral fusion implant;
- and
- a force measurer that is configured to directly indicate an actuating force and interacts with a displacement measurer to indicate an expansion attained by the actuating force.
An arrangement comprising:
- an intervertebral fusion implant comprising:
- a base piece and a cover piece that are configured to bear on a facing end plate of one of two adjacent vertebrae, the cover piece being adjustable in height with respect to the base piece, and a ratchet mechanism being provided between the base piece and the cover piece to effect a stepped adjustment of height and secure an adopted height again reversal;
- and
- an implantation instrument configured for expanding the intervertebral fusion implant and comprising:
- a tensioning member extending along a longitudinal axis of the implantation instrument, and
- a force measurer that is configured to directly indicate an actuating force applied to the implant and interacts with a displacement measurer to indicate an expansion attained by the actuating force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.